Summary

Communicating in Groups offers a concise, step-by-step introduction to the theory and practice of small group communication, and teaches students to develop and apply critical thinking in group problem solving. With the firm belief that group participation can be an uplifting and energizing experience, authors Kathy Adams and Gloria Galanes give students the tools they will need in order to achieve this outcome. Research and theory are presented with a focus on what is important to students--understanding their group experiences and making them effective communicators.

Table of Contents

PART ONE Orientation to Small Group Systems

1

(44)

Small Groups as the Heart of Society

2

(22)

Groups in Your Life

4

(3)

Groups as Problem Solvers

5

(1)

Participating in Groups

5

(2)

Groups versus Individuals as Problem Solvers

7

(4)

When a Group Is a Good Choice

8

(1)

When a Group Is Not a Good Choice

9

(2)

Groups, Small Groups, and Small Group Communication

11

(4)

Groups

11

(1)

Small Groups

12

(1)

Small Group Communication

13

(2)

Classifying Groups by Their Major Purpose

15

(5)

Primary or Secondary Groups

15

(1)

Types of Secondary Groups

16

(4)

Being an Ethical Group Member

20

(1)

The Participant-Observer Perspective

21

(3)

Groups as Structured Open Systems

24

(21)

Overview of General Systems Theory

26

(1)

The Small Group as a System

27

(13)

Definition of a System

27

(2)

Concepts Vital to Understanding Systems

29

(6)

Characteristics of Systems

35

(5)

Organizations as Systems of Groups

40

(5)

PART TWO Foundations of Small Group Communicating

45

(110)

Communication Principles for Group Members

46

(20)

Communication: What's That?

49

(5)

Implications for Small Group Communication

54

(2)

Listening: Receiving, Interpreting, and Responding to Messages from Other Group Members